Next Stop - Paidha

Most of Friday was spent traveling to the next destination - Paidha.  Paidha is even more remote than Gulu, or "in the middle of no where", not far from the Congo border.

Before leaving Gulu, the Proclaimers were given to what they call their "Baptist Association".  This is a group of leaders who come together from many areas of Uganda representing the church.  They have plans to start new churches in some areas not far from Gulu, so they were very pleased to distribute the Proclaimers in these areas.

Hal was able to spend some good time with the men who have been trained to build wells, the "Stream of Life Drilling Water Project" team (pictured wearing blue coveralls in the slideshow).  Over the past few years they have spent time talking and planning for future wells.  On Thursday, they had time to organize their materials in a storage place - shelves were a completely new concept!  They built some shelves and organized their tools and equipment they have acquired over the past couple of years.  They were also able to purchase a motor bike for transportation to areas needing wells.  Three men and their digging tools will all be able to fit on the motor bike!  They will hire a truck to deliver the heavier equipment once the well locations are confirmed.  Time for praying and planning with the team and with leaders from the church was time well spent.  The team has a goal to build two wells each month, hoping to have 24 new wells completed by this time next year.  This is good progress for the team!

I have received word that everyone did arrive safely to Paidha after a long day of travel on bumpy and dusty roads!  They were greeted with a very warm welcome!  During their time in Paidha they will be involved with a conference and hope to build a well at the same time.

It is already time for John Paul to begin his journey back to the U.S. as he was not able to be away for the full 3 1/2 weeks.  Please pray for his safety as he begins his travels back - by bus to Kampala with an overnight stay with missionaries Darrie and Debbie Turner; then by bus to Entebbe Airport; then the long flights back to the U.S.  The rest will stay in Paidha through this coming week.